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Hi Ann Marie,
You said:
My physician has been treating me for chronic pain, and has asked me if I am interested in Theophostic or Sozo prayer.
- I have been researching on the Internet, but need to know if these types of prayer are condoned by our Church?
This is the first time I have heard of these types of prayers, so I had to do a little research to find out more.
If any of my colleagues are familiar with Theophostic or Sozo prayer, and would like to welcome or warn others about them, I'll appreciate their input.
Based on what read from the following references, I would be cautious about Theophostic prayer, although I was surprised to see positive comments from the Women of Grace web site.
(See below) My sediments were more along the lines of what I found on another Catholic web site:
Theophostic Prayer
Question from Carlos Loyola on 2/28/2008:
My Bride has been suffering with depression for some time and recently her spiritual director has suggested that she try theophostic prayer ministry. As the man God made to love her, I must discern if this is good for her.
- What is the Church's position if any on this ministry?
- Does it follow our faith and in accord with the teaching of the Magisterium?
Answer by David Gregson on 4/23/2008:
I would steer clear of theophostic prayer. Although it has a Christian veneer, it seems to be a mixture of Christian doctrine and New Age psychology. Even apart from a New Age influence, the claim to replace "lies" with "truth," leaves open the question of how to recognize "truth" as true. What a TPM facilitator regards as truth will be shaped by his own theology, which is evidently Protestant at best.
- Wouldn't your wife do better to find a Catholic psychologist?
Perhaps a call to your diocese would help her locate one.
Other informational web pages:
Although (CRI), the Christian Research Institute, is far from a Catholic resource and has attacked the Church's teachings on Mary in the past, I though it would be interesting to share their view from a "Bible alone" Christian's theology:
[PDF] An Evaluation Of Theophostic Prayer Ministry Synopsis
After an exhaustive evaluation, CRI detects nothing unbiblical about the core theory and practice of Theophostic Prayer Ministry (TPM). The theory is elegant in its profound simplicity, and the anecdotal reports of its effectiveness in practice justify further investigation; nonetheless, much more scientific research needs to be done before even the more modest claims of TPM can be validated, and some of the extravagant claims seem unlikely ever to be established.
CRI does have several peripheral concerns about TPM, but we have been favorably impressed by founder Ed Smith's openness to constructive criticism and change. We caution Christians who practice or receive TPM to be discerning about Smith's past teachings on the sin nature, sanctification, and satanic ritual abuse, and to be aware that, despite major improvements, there are still aspects of Smith's teaching on spiritual warfare that CRI does not endorse.
I haven't read or heard anything about Sozo prayer but after a little research came up with these pages:
I hope this helps,
Mike
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